Behavioral Health Outpatient Services

When you are struggling with a mental health issue, you want an accurate diagnosis
and the best treatment available. In the Sutter Health network, we offer comprehensive
mental health assessments and therapy options that will fit your lifestyle.

If this is an emergency, call 911.

Complete Evaluation and Therapy Services

When you are dealing with a mental health issue, you want compassionate care from
experienced professionals. If you have mild to moderate symptoms, outpatient therapy
— seeing a mental healthcare provider once a week or so in their office —
is usually a good choice.

In the Sutter Health network, compassionate and experienced professionals can help
you resolve mental health issues and get back to living a full life, resuming the
daily activities you once enjoyed. Our goal is to get an accurate diagnosis, get you
started with appropriate treatment, and eventually help you manage your condition.

Evaluation and Diagnostic Services

We offer a variety of services to help diagnose your condition and create the most
appropriate treatment plan. We use tools to assess your mental health including:

Psychiatric evaluation — A thorough assessment of mental
health status, looking at symptoms, behaviors, effects on school, work, and relationships,
speech and language abilities, and your personal and family history of related disorders.

Psychological assessment — Standardized question and answer
tests that assess areas such as intelligence, cognitive functioning (ability to think,
reason and speak), personality style, and level of depression or anxiety.

Medication assessment — A review of all medications you
are taking, including assessment of possible side effects and interactions.

Addiction assessment — An examination of your current
and past use of drugs and alcohol, withdrawal symptoms, effects on relationships,
work, finances and health, your substance use treatment history, and your family history
of addiction.

Eating disorder assessment — A comprehensive psychological
and medical review of eating patterns and body image issues and the effects on physical
health.

Counseling and Therapy Services

Once your healthcare provider makes a diagnosis, he or she will talk with you about
a treatment plan. We offer many different options.

Individual, Family and Group Counseling

We provide one-on-one therapy meetings with a counselor, therapist, social worker
or other mental healthcare provider. Many people meet once a week with their therapist;
depending on your needs, therapy might continue for just a few weeks or for several
months.

At many of our locations, we also offer group counseling led by mental health professionals.
Groups may focus on issues such as social and functional living skills, learning about
mental health conditions and medications, relapse prevention skills, stress reduction
techniques, managing symptoms, safety planning, and occupational and recreational
therapy.

During family counseling, marriage and family therapists help partners and other
family members explore issues that are preventing the family from functioning well,
and learn skills and communication techniques that can improve relationships.

In your individual, family or group sessions, your healthcare provider might suggest
some specific types of therapy:

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) — CBT focuses on how
a person’s thoughts and beliefs influence their behavior and moods, and helps
change their thinking to more healthy patterns.

Mindfulness therapy — This type of therapy combines cognitive
therapy with the principles of mindfulness (training the brain to deal with negative
thoughts by accepting them, but not trying to change them or react to them).

Occupational therapy — Can help patients regain daily living
skills such as cooking, managing finances, personal hygiene and socializing.

For some people with more serious or complex disorders, psychiatrists, medical
doctors who specialize in mental health, can provide specialized care. Psychiatric
treatment involves comprehensive evaluations, treatment plans and managed medication.

Patient Information

Interested in becoming a Sutter patient? Here’s what you need to know about
health plans, choosing a doctor and how to get started today.

In Your Corner

Chronic stress and anxiety disorders are not identical.
Learn why and when to seek help.

Health and Wellness

Guide for a Healthy Brain

Brain scientists say there is a lot you can do to improve your brain’s health.
Learn some simple tips for sleep, diet and exercise that will keep your brain working
at its best (as well as improve your overall health).

Mental Health Research

About 26 percent of Americans each year suffer from a mental health disorder like
depression, anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and anorexia. Our mental
health affects our family, our job, how well we live and how soon we die. It’s
important to find effective treatments and ways to prevent the damage from mental
illness.